Feb. 14: The biggest challenge facing New Zealand XI ahead of their warm up game against the Indians on Wednesday is regaining lost confidence. The morale of the side will not be exactly high after having lost each of their last four one-day international series. And a fact that a majority of those games came in the sub-continent is not good news either. The senior pros are hopeful of a quick turnaround.
“It doesn’t get any bigger than this, one cannot ask for more than a World Cup to be staged in the sub-continent,” noted all-rounder Scott Styris. “We will be tested against the best in the business as the Indians are one of the favourite and I am confident of a good show. We are certainly up for the challenge,” Styris added.
The Kiwis have done well previously here and they have to take confidence from history although the most recent was a complete disaster where, minus their major stars, they went down 0-5 to India. Ross Taylor said the team had learnt a lot from their last two series against India and Pakistan.
“The last six months have not been great. But we have learnt a lot, and will try as hard as we can to win. When you reach the quarterfinals, you are just three matches away.” New Zealand’s problem has been their inconsistency in the knockout stages. They have lost four semifinals and one quarterfinal thus far — a record they would gladly look to improve.
Poor efforts with the bat have been the biggest contributor to the misery. A settled batting order could usher better results. “In the sub-continent we always like to bat high up the order. The coach felt my batting at six would help the team. I think it’s a crucial spot, as I would be batting during the batting power play and try and provide the final flourish,” added Styris.
Spin will be a major weapon and in skipper Daniel Vettori, the team can boast of a high quality left-arm spinner. “Slow bowlers will play a major role here. If the wicket is going to turn as it did in Bengaluru, things could get interesting.
“From a batsmen’s perspective we need to try and unsettle them as quickly as we can. There are good players of spin in our side who are capable of scoring big,” said Ross Taylor. The warm up fixture should hand out a few answers. “Both teams will see this as an opportunity to get ahead. We need to get a couple of things in order and also try out a few strategies. It’s not too much of real competition. The game will be used to hone our skills and get ready for the big stage,” concluded Brendon McCullum.
On the distractions provided by Jesse Ryder’s off-field behaviour, Taylor explained: “Both the issues involving him were blown out of proportion. There will distractions, but we have to focus on the job of winning matches for the team now.”